Melissa Kairiel
@kairiel.bsky.social
An artistic polymath and a neurodivergent polyamorous bisexual healslut cinnamon roll. I write sex-positive fanfiction and do game development (in Godot Engine).
https://archiveofourown.org/users/EphemeralNight/works
https://ephemeralen.itch.io/
https://archiveofourown.org/users/EphemeralNight/works
https://ephemeralen.itch.io/
The ultimately tragedy is that there are all the pieces of a great turn-based RPG sitting there going to waste.
A game in which the core systems barely even matter, is not a good game. This is an epic failure of design.
And it's still one of the best games that has come out all year.
A game in which the core systems barely even matter, is not a good game. This is an epic failure of design.
And it's still one of the best games that has come out all year.
November 26, 2025 at 11:23 PM
The ultimately tragedy is that there are all the pieces of a great turn-based RPG sitting there going to waste.
A game in which the core systems barely even matter, is not a good game. This is an epic failure of design.
And it's still one of the best games that has come out all year.
A game in which the core systems barely even matter, is not a good game. This is an epic failure of design.
And it's still one of the best games that has come out all year.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is not a turn-based RPG.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a rhythm game.
This is an issue only in so far as the game was advertised as an RPG instead of as, say, a Hi-Fi Rushlike.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a rhythm game.
This is an issue only in so far as the game was advertised as an RPG instead of as, say, a Hi-Fi Rushlike.
November 26, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is not a turn-based RPG.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a rhythm game.
This is an issue only in so far as the game was advertised as an RPG instead of as, say, a Hi-Fi Rushlike.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a rhythm game.
This is an issue only in so far as the game was advertised as an RPG instead of as, say, a Hi-Fi Rushlike.
IE,
You can ignore the turn-based RPG aspect of the game completely if you're good at timing. You'll win regardless.
You cannot ignore the timing-based aspect of the game if you're good at turn-based RPG combat. You'll get facerolled regardless.
You can ignore the turn-based RPG aspect of the game completely if you're good at timing. You'll win regardless.
You cannot ignore the timing-based aspect of the game if you're good at turn-based RPG combat. You'll get facerolled regardless.
November 26, 2025 at 11:23 PM
IE,
You can ignore the turn-based RPG aspect of the game completely if you're good at timing. You'll win regardless.
You cannot ignore the timing-based aspect of the game if you're good at turn-based RPG combat. You'll get facerolled regardless.
You can ignore the turn-based RPG aspect of the game completely if you're good at timing. You'll win regardless.
You cannot ignore the timing-based aspect of the game if you're good at turn-based RPG combat. You'll get facerolled regardless.
Conversely, if you master parry and dodge, you can trivially defeat even bosses using nothing but basic attack with no stat or item upgrades or special abilities.
November 26, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Conversely, if you master parry and dodge, you can trivially defeat even bosses using nothing but basic attack with no stat or item upgrades or special abilities.
My issue, is that the QTE, the dodge, and the parry, completely overwhelm the turn-based system.
On normal difficulty, you can strategize and play perfectly, but if you ignore the QTE and dodging, you will get utterly destroyed even by trash mobs.
On normal difficulty, you can strategize and play perfectly, but if you ignore the QTE and dodging, you will get utterly destroyed even by trash mobs.
November 26, 2025 at 11:23 PM
My issue, is that the QTE, the dodge, and the parry, completely overwhelm the turn-based system.
On normal difficulty, you can strategize and play perfectly, but if you ignore the QTE and dodging, you will get utterly destroyed even by trash mobs.
On normal difficulty, you can strategize and play perfectly, but if you ignore the QTE and dodging, you will get utterly destroyed even by trash mobs.
Unfortunately, this awesome turn-based RPG system IS COMPLETELY IRRELEVANT to your success.
Sorry to say, yep, you've read all this just to end up listening to yet another rant about the QTE and parry system.
But my issue is not merely with the existence of the QTE and the dodge / parry system.
Sorry to say, yep, you've read all this just to end up listening to yet another rant about the QTE and parry system.
But my issue is not merely with the existence of the QTE and the dodge / parry system.
November 26, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Unfortunately, this awesome turn-based RPG system IS COMPLETELY IRRELEVANT to your success.
Sorry to say, yep, you've read all this just to end up listening to yet another rant about the QTE and parry system.
But my issue is not merely with the existence of the QTE and the dodge / parry system.
Sorry to say, yep, you've read all this just to end up listening to yet another rant about the QTE and parry system.
But my issue is not merely with the existence of the QTE and the dodge / parry system.
This game IS NOT A TURN-BASED RPG.
Within this game is a brilliant turn-based RPG system with streamlined and incredibly well-designed mechanics and brilliant ludonarrative harmony with the characters' unique abilities and combos. It is genuinely a masterclass in console RPG design.
Within this game is a brilliant turn-based RPG system with streamlined and incredibly well-designed mechanics and brilliant ludonarrative harmony with the characters' unique abilities and combos. It is genuinely a masterclass in console RPG design.
November 26, 2025 at 11:23 PM
This game IS NOT A TURN-BASED RPG.
Within this game is a brilliant turn-based RPG system with streamlined and incredibly well-designed mechanics and brilliant ludonarrative harmony with the characters' unique abilities and combos. It is genuinely a masterclass in console RPG design.
Within this game is a brilliant turn-based RPG system with streamlined and incredibly well-designed mechanics and brilliant ludonarrative harmony with the characters' unique abilities and combos. It is genuinely a masterclass in console RPG design.
With all of that acknowledged, it is here we come to the crux of my issue with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and get into the deeply flawed core at the heart of this game.
The game design itself.
The game design itself.
November 26, 2025 at 11:23 PM
With all of that acknowledged, it is here we come to the crux of my issue with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and get into the deeply flawed core at the heart of this game.
The game design itself.
The game design itself.
The overall presentation of this game is top notch. It is polished to a truly impressive degree, even if your standards are not underground, and deserves respect for that if nothing else.
It feels really good to play, and it never feels like the art and the game mechanics are at odds. Thumbs up.
It feels really good to play, and it never feels like the art and the game mechanics are at odds. Thumbs up.
November 26, 2025 at 11:23 PM
The overall presentation of this game is top notch. It is polished to a truly impressive degree, even if your standards are not underground, and deserves respect for that if nothing else.
It feels really good to play, and it never feels like the art and the game mechanics are at odds. Thumbs up.
It feels really good to play, and it never feels like the art and the game mechanics are at odds. Thumbs up.
There is only one thing wrong with the story of this game, and it is not the story itself.
The issue is that the story is so stretched out, scraped across such long stretches of time, that you will not remember any of the important information or plot beats by the time they become relevant again.
The issue is that the story is so stretched out, scraped across such long stretches of time, that you will not remember any of the important information or plot beats by the time they become relevant again.
November 26, 2025 at 11:23 PM
There is only one thing wrong with the story of this game, and it is not the story itself.
The issue is that the story is so stretched out, scraped across such long stretches of time, that you will not remember any of the important information or plot beats by the time they become relevant again.
The issue is that the story is so stretched out, scraped across such long stretches of time, that you will not remember any of the important information or plot beats by the time they become relevant again.
The story is well-conceived and has both a clear vision behind it and well-paced presentation... with a caveat.
The story of this game, is an episode of Twilight Zone. A good episode, but, it could have been told in 22 minutes without leaving anything out.
The story of this game, is an episode of Twilight Zone. A good episode, but, it could have been told in 22 minutes without leaving anything out.
November 26, 2025 at 11:23 PM
The story is well-conceived and has both a clear vision behind it and well-paced presentation... with a caveat.
The story of this game, is an episode of Twilight Zone. A good episode, but, it could have been told in 22 minutes without leaving anything out.
The story of this game, is an episode of Twilight Zone. A good episode, but, it could have been told in 22 minutes without leaving anything out.
Let's start with the simplest stuff, get it out of the way.
The game is gorgeous.
But this level of beauty is just what you get when modern tools are used competently by creatively invested artists, rather than used in a sleep-deprived frenzy by creatively bankrupt wage-slaves.
The game is gorgeous.
But this level of beauty is just what you get when modern tools are used competently by creatively invested artists, rather than used in a sleep-deprived frenzy by creatively bankrupt wage-slaves.
November 26, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Let's start with the simplest stuff, get it out of the way.
The game is gorgeous.
But this level of beauty is just what you get when modern tools are used competently by creatively invested artists, rather than used in a sleep-deprived frenzy by creatively bankrupt wage-slaves.
The game is gorgeous.
But this level of beauty is just what you get when modern tools are used competently by creatively invested artists, rather than used in a sleep-deprived frenzy by creatively bankrupt wage-slaves.
But in almost any game where you have combat, you also have Hit Points, and that's not because there's some law that a combat game HAS to include Hit Points.
It's because Hit Points are simply an optimally easy way to abstract and track the state of a fight.
Now we can do the same for sex.
It's because Hit Points are simply an optimally easy way to abstract and track the state of a fight.
Now we can do the same for sex.
March 22, 2025 at 3:36 PM
But in almost any game where you have combat, you also have Hit Points, and that's not because there's some law that a combat game HAS to include Hit Points.
It's because Hit Points are simply an optimally easy way to abstract and track the state of a fight.
Now we can do the same for sex.
It's because Hit Points are simply an optimally easy way to abstract and track the state of a fight.
Now we can do the same for sex.
What is the THIRD key insight? I don't know yet. Maybe someone else will figure it out before I do.
Now, is any of this THE ONLY WAY to make a sex game? Of course not. You can also make combat games without any Hit Points system in them either. Nothing is stopping you.
Now, is any of this THE ONLY WAY to make a sex game? Of course not. You can also make combat games without any Hit Points system in them either. Nothing is stopping you.
March 22, 2025 at 3:36 PM
What is the THIRD key insight? I don't know yet. Maybe someone else will figure it out before I do.
Now, is any of this THE ONLY WAY to make a sex game? Of course not. You can also make combat games without any Hit Points system in them either. Nothing is stopping you.
Now, is any of this THE ONLY WAY to make a sex game? Of course not. You can also make combat games without any Hit Points system in them either. Nothing is stopping you.
THAT is the SECOND key insight in designing sex gameplay:
Orgasm is not a win condition. Orgasm is not a loss condition. We already have those. Orgasm is merely a state-change, a mode-shift, an abstraction-alteration.
Orgasm is not a win condition. Orgasm is not a loss condition. We already have those. Orgasm is merely a state-change, a mode-shift, an abstraction-alteration.
March 22, 2025 at 3:36 PM
THAT is the SECOND key insight in designing sex gameplay:
Orgasm is not a win condition. Orgasm is not a loss condition. We already have those. Orgasm is merely a state-change, a mode-shift, an abstraction-alteration.
Orgasm is not a win condition. Orgasm is not a loss condition. We already have those. Orgasm is merely a state-change, a mode-shift, an abstraction-alteration.
This third number exists to absorb stimulation when NOT having an orgasm, and to tell you if you ARE having an orgasm. It's value does not determine success or failure.
March 22, 2025 at 3:36 PM
This third number exists to absorb stimulation when NOT having an orgasm, and to tell you if you ARE having an orgasm. It's value does not determine success or failure.
Of the remaining two numbers, only one is strictly necessary, but Flowerbound splits them into two, one representing mental arousal and the other representing physical arousal. Flowerbound does several things with this, but the underlying Abstraction is simple:
March 22, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Of the remaining two numbers, only one is strictly necessary, but Flowerbound splits them into two, one representing mental arousal and the other representing physical arousal. Flowerbound does several things with this, but the underlying Abstraction is simple:
In Flowerbound, both of the above numbers, SATIATION, and SENSITIVITY respectively, are "negative-seeking" meaning that the "end" of the bar is the bar being full, rather than empty, but that is merely the specific design of Flowerbound; the raw abstraction underneath does not require that.
March 22, 2025 at 3:36 PM
In Flowerbound, both of the above numbers, SATIATION, and SENSITIVITY respectively, are "negative-seeking" meaning that the "end" of the bar is the bar being full, rather than empty, but that is merely the specific design of Flowerbound; the raw abstraction underneath does not require that.
One number must be a mutual success. If your number hits the end of its bar, that is a success for you, OR if your partner's number hits the end of its bar, that is also a success for you.
Another must be a mutual failure. If your number hits the end of its bar, or if your partner's does, failure.
Another must be a mutual failure. If your number hits the end of its bar, or if your partner's does, failure.
March 22, 2025 at 3:36 PM
One number must be a mutual success. If your number hits the end of its bar, that is a success for you, OR if your partner's number hits the end of its bar, that is also a success for you.
Another must be a mutual failure. If your number hits the end of its bar, or if your partner's does, failure.
Another must be a mutual failure. If your number hits the end of its bar, or if your partner's does, failure.
However, the abstracting-principle behind these numbers is generalize-able, just as the abstracting-principle behind hit points is:
March 22, 2025 at 3:36 PM
However, the abstracting-principle behind these numbers is generalize-able, just as the abstracting-principle behind hit points is:
Instead, at the root of the Flowerbound System, there are FOUR numbers, all of which are used to answer that question in different ways.
The specific rules for how they do that in Flowerbound are detailed in the Flowerbound Core Rulebook, which you may read here:
glowfic.com/posts/11392
The specific rules for how they do that in Flowerbound are detailed in the Flowerbound Core Rulebook, which you may read here:
glowfic.com/posts/11392
March 22, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Instead, at the root of the Flowerbound System, there are FOUR numbers, all of which are used to answer that question in different ways.
The specific rules for how they do that in Flowerbound are detailed in the Flowerbound Core Rulebook, which you may read here:
glowfic.com/posts/11392
The specific rules for how they do that in Flowerbound are detailed in the Flowerbound Core Rulebook, which you may read here:
glowfic.com/posts/11392
Sex, in contrast to combat, does not have a universal win condition. The question "Are you able to keep having sex?" is objectively, concretely, insufficient.
So answering that question with ONE number will never successfully abstract sex, no matter how you dress up the presentation.
So answering that question with ONE number will never successfully abstract sex, no matter how you dress up the presentation.
March 22, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Sex, in contrast to combat, does not have a universal win condition. The question "Are you able to keep having sex?" is objectively, concretely, insufficient.
So answering that question with ONE number will never successfully abstract sex, no matter how you dress up the presentation.
So answering that question with ONE number will never successfully abstract sex, no matter how you dress up the presentation.